Timing control device



Jan. 3, 1961 B. E. ENssLE 2,966,881

TIMING CONTROL DEVICE Filed April 23, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 3, 1961 f B. E. ENssLE 2,966,881

` TIMING CONTROL DEVICE Filed April 23, 1959 s sheets-sheet 2 je @72u 724 C zij/Q@ INV ENTOR.

Jan. 3, 1961 A l B. E. NSSLE 2,966,881

TIMING CONTROL DEVICE Filed April 23, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Wfl/f- United States Patent C M TIMING CONTROL DEVICE Bruno E. Enssle, Boulder, Colo., assignor to Binks Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 23, 1959, Ser. No. 808,491

13 Claims. (Cl. 118-11) This invention relates to improvements in a timing device, and refers particularly to a device for timing the actuation of an agent as the agent moves in a fixed path.

The timing device comprising the present invention is susceptible of many uses, but for purposes of description its use in triggering and shutting off a continuously moving paint spraying gun will be set forth.

In one form of automatic spraying machine, the article to be sprayed is carried forwardly on a conveyor and as the article moves, a spray gun moves thereover transverse to the movement of the article, the spray gun moving in a reciprocating manner. Such a device is shown in expired patent to S. Bramsen et al. No. 2,246,502, June 24, 1941.

lt is desirable, for economy in paint, to have the gun spray only when there is an article in its range which will receive the spray. It is also desirable that the automatic spraying device be such as to lend itself for use with articles of different dimensions. For instance, and these constants are only set forth for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, were an article to be sprayed one foot wide, and were the complete transverse length of travel of the gun two feet, it is obvious that economic considerations would dictate that for the two foot travel of the gun, it should be actuated only for that one foot width when the article is within its range. Further, were the spraying apparatus next to be used on articles of greater or lesser widths, a suitable control means must be provided for controlling the triggering and shutting ofi of the gun to conform to the added or reduced width of the article and that this means should be such as to be readily and simply changed.

The present invention relates to such a control means which is efficient in operation and simple to adjust to dilierent conditions of operation.

The timing problem outlined hereinabove is not as simple as stated, since a number of precautions and expedients must be observed and employed in an efcient operable control means. For instance, the gun or guns employed are a finite distance from the articles to be sprayed and a time element is involved between the issuance of the spray from the gun and when the spray reaches the article to be sprayed. In addition, in substantially all spray guns there is more or less a lag, in time, between the actuation of the gun and the issuance of the spray from the gun.

These timing problems imply careful adjustment of the actuation of the gun or guns and require a control means which can be minutely adjusted to varying conditions.

One of the features of the present invention resides in a device of the character described which can be quickly and simply adjusted and controlled to have the gun or guns operate in conformity with the timing variables outlined hereinbefore.

Another feature of the invention resides in a device which is rugged; easily adjustable and is capable of holding its adjustment substantially indenitely.

2,966,881 Patented Jan. 3, 1961 ICC Other objects and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and following detailed description.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a front elevational view of the device embodying the concepts of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the device of the invention in association with a conventional automatic spraying device.

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are sequential diagrammatic views showing some of the various possibilities of adjustment. Fig. l0 is a schematic View of the wiring employed.

Fig. '11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modification of the invention, taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 12--12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a development of the surface of the cylindrical drum used in the device illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12.

Fig. 14 is a plurality of sequential diagrammatic development views corresponding to the diagrammatic views of Fig. 6.

Fig. l5 is asimilar plurality of sequential views corresponding to the diagrammatic views of Fig. 7.

Referring in `detail to the drawings, 1 indicates generally a device embodying the concepts of the present invention, the device 1 being suitably housed in a container 2 having a rear Wall 3, side walls 4 and 5 and top and bottom walls 6 and 7, respectively. Front wall 8 of the container is provided with an enlarged opening 9 which, if desired, may carry screw threads 10 for engagement with similar threads carried upon a cover plate (not shown).

A bearing 11 having integral opposite mounting lugs 12 is mounted upon the inner face of the rear wall 3, said bearing being secured to the wall by screws 13 which pass through lugs 12 and engage in wall 3. Wall 3 behind bearing 11 is provided with an aperture 14 through which a shaft 15 extends, said shaft being journaled in bearing 11. That portion of shaft 15 which extends rearwardly of wall 3, that is, outwardly of container 2, carries hub 16 of sprocket wheel 17. The end portion of shaft 15 is threaded and carries a pair of nuts 18 arranged in locknut fashion with respect to hub 16, whereby the opposite face of the sprocket wheel 17 can be frictionally held in contact with washers 18 carried by shaft 15.

That portion of shaft 15 which extends inward of the container 1 carries a disc 19, said disc having a hub 20 which is keyed to shaft 15. The disc 19 is constructed of an electrical insulating material such as ber, hard rubber, a plastic resin or the like. A metal plate 21 is secured to a portion of the face of the disc, the plate 21 being inset so that its outer face is coplanar with the outer face of the exposed remaining portion of the disc. The plate 21 is' preferably constructed of copper or bronze or a similar material having adequate strength and relatively high electrical conductive properties.

It will be noted that the outer periphery of the plate is arcuate and conforms with substantially half the periph ery of the disc 19, but the inner periphery 22 of the plate has a characteristic curvilinear or double curvilinear shape.. The purpose of the characteristic peripheral shape 22 will be hereinafter more fully discussed.

A pair of transmission screws 23 and 24 are journaled in the side walls 4 and 5 of the housing 2, those portions of the screws protruding through wall 5 carrying knurled knobs 25 and 26 on screws 23 and 24, respectively. Stop dieser rings 27 are carried by screws 23 and 24 and prevent out" Ward movement of the screws through wall 5. Wall 4 carries a p-air of screw-threaded thrust bearings 28, one for each screw, which can be adjusted to reduce endwise thrust of the screws to a minimum, and yet permit rotation of the screws by knobs 25 and 26.

The screws 23 and 24 arev disposed vparallel to each other and are disposed parallel to a diametral line through disc 19, each screw being equally spaced from said diametral line. One-half of the length of screw 23 carries screw threads 29 and one-half of the length of screw 24 carries screw threads 3i), the screw threads 29 being opposite a guide portion 31 of screw 24 and screw threads 30 being opposite a guide portion 32 of screw 23.

A brush-carrier block 33 is in threaded engagement with screw threads 29 and is in guided relationship to guide portion 31, and similarly, a brush-carrying block 34 is in screw-threaded relationship with screw threads 3l) and in guided relationship to guide portion 32.

As shown best in Fig. 3, each of the brush-carrier blocks is similar and each is provided with a central aperture 35. A disc 36 of relatively hard insulating material bridges each aperture and each carries a brush socket 37, secured to the disc 36 by a nut 33. The socket 37 is hollow and carries a brush 39 which may be constructed of carbon, a woven metal construction or any conventional brush material used in conjunction with mot-or or generator commutators. The brush 39 is resiliently mounted by means of adjusting screw 40 and spring 41 which latter bears upon brush 39. The socket 37 is insulated from the carrier block 34 by disc 36 and is thereby insulated from the frame of the machine.l A conductor 42 connects brush 39 to aV suitable circuit shown in Fig. 10.`

In operation, brush 39 bears upon the face of disc 19 or on thecoplanar face of plate 21, dependingupon the position ofdisc 19 relative to the brush as the disc is rotated by shaft 15. It will be noted that each brush 39 is carried centrally by the respective blocks 33 and 34 and that when knobs 25 and 26 are turned said blocks are so moved as to cause the brushes to move along a diametral line of the disc 19.

Referring particularly to Fig. l0, the reference numeral 43 indicates diagrammatically the disc 19 and the plate 21 carried thereby, the disc being rotated by shaft 44, corresponding to shaft 15. Numerals 45 and 46 indicate brushes 39 carried by blocks 33 and 34, respectively.

Brush 46is connected by conductor 47 to a source of current 48 which, in turn, is connected to brush 45 by conductor 49 `through solenoid coil 5i). The solenoid coil Sti comprises the actuating mechanism for a spray gun 51, which will be hereinafter more fully described.

It can readily be seen that as disc 19 or 43 is rotated, the circuit between brush 45 and 46 is periodically completed and broken depending upon the positions of the brushes relative to the plate 21. It will also be noted that the completion or breaking of the circuit between brushes 45 and 46 controls the actuation or deactuation of the spray gun 51. By virtue of the characteristic shape of the inner periphery 22 of plate 21, the control of the circuit will be dependent upon the relative positions of the blocks 33 and 34, that is, the relative positions of brushes 45 and 46, with respect to disc 19 or 43.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, a diagrammatic View of a typical automatic spraying mechanism is shown together with an associated control mechanism corresponding to the mechanism 1 hereinbefore described. In `Fig. 5, 52 indicates one of the rolls of a conventional conveyor mechanism, the conveyor comprising a conveyor belt 53 upon which articles 54, to be sprayed, are carried. The roll 52 is mounted upon a shaft 55 which is driven by a sprocket chain 56 from a suitable source of power (not shown), the chain being trained around sprocket Wheel 57 mounted upon shaft 55. Above the path ofA travel of the conveyor 531 a movable spray gun mechanism S8 is positioned. The spray gun mechanism S8 comprises essentially a pair of spaced sprocket wheelsV 59 and 60 over which a spray gun carrying sprocket chain 61 is trained. It will be noted that the sprocket chain 61 travels at right-angles to the movement of the conveyor 53. Sprocket Wheel 60 may be carried upon shaft 62 which also carries a sprocket Wheel 63 which may be driven by sprocket chain 64 from a suitable prime mover (not shown); If desired, the movement of belt 53 may be timed to the movement of chain 61, but this timed arrangement is not essential to the operation of the device.

Sprocket wheel 59 is mounted upon shaft 69 which also carries a sprocket wheel 70. A sprocket chain 71 is trained around the sprocket wheel 70 and is also trained around a sprocket wheel 17 corresponding to the sprocket wheel 17 hereinbefore described. As has been hereinbefore described, the disc 19 is mounted upon the same shaft which carries the sprocket wheel 17 and for purposes of illustration the disc 19 is shown diagrammatically at 19 in Fig. 5. The arrangement is such that the rotation of the disc 19 is timed with the movement of the chain 61 by means of the sprocket chain 71.

The sprocket chain 61 is adapted to carry a spray gun 72 in a reciprocating manner transversely to the movement of the conveyor 53, the spray gun 72 corresponding to the spray gun 51 shown in Fig. l0. The solenoid actuating mechanism for the spray gun 72 is not illustrated in Fig. 5 but is associated with the spray gun 72' in the manner illustrated in Fig. 10. The chain 61 carries a pin 73 which engages a lug 74 rigidly secured to the spray gun V72 when the pin Apasses along the lower pass of the chain 61. As Vthe pin carried by the chain "61 moves around the sprocket wheel 59, it can be seen that the pin and, hence, the spray gun, reverses its direction, the pin then engaging lug 75 also carried by the spray gun. The arrangement is such that as the sprayy g'un carrying chain 61 moves in its endless path, the spray gun 72 reciprocates transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor 53.

The problem to be solved by the present control device is to so time the movement of the spray gun relative to the article to be sprayed and to time the actuation and deactuation of the spray gun relative to the position and size of said article, in such manner that a spray will imp'inge on the article as it moves forwardly but will not impinge on the conveyor itself. The problem isacute in that there is a time'lag between the actuation ofthe `gun andthe issuance of spray therefrom and betweenthe time of issuance of spray from the gun and the time the spray impinges on the articles( Hence, the control device must be one which can exercise a minute control and must be such that such control can be exercised conveniently and in the shortest time possible.

vToillustrate the operation of the devicereference is specifically made to Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings. In said iigures the reference numeral 19a indicates the insulating disc 19; the numeral 21a indicates the metal plate 21; the numerals 45a and 46a respectively indicate the brushes 45 and 46; the chain 61a indicates chain 61 and the arrows 72a which extend vertically downwardly from the chain 61a indicate various positions of the spray gun 72 or 51 during the operation of the device. In all cases, the solenoid 50 will be energized when both brushes 45a and 46a rest upon plate 21a and will be deenergized when either or both brushes rest upon the insulated portion 19a.

In employing the present invention, a predetermined `constantv relationship is established betw'eenthe diameters of sprocket wheel 17, sprocket wheel 70 and sprocket Wheels 59 and 60, which latter are preferably of equal diameters. This relationship is preferably such that with one complete revolution of sprocket wheel 17', chain 61 will travel once its length. Thus, for a predetermined angular movement of sprocket `wheel 17', the chainr61 will have a predetermined linear speed and the position of the gn 7i can thus be plate 21a breaks contact with brush 45a. after plate 21a again makes contact with brush 45a, the gun then being positioned at C. The gun then continues l21a breaks contact with brush 46a.

related to the movement of disc' 19. Of course, this constant relationship can be changed, as desired, but once established it is maintained constant. Another relationship which can be considered constant for articles 54 of predetermined character but which may be changed as different articles are to be coated, is the angular relationship of sprocket wheel 17 and shaft 15. As has been hereinbefore described, sprocket wheel 17 is so mounted on shaft 15 that this angular relationship can be readily changed.

The active control, however, resides essentially in the positioning of the brushes 4S and 46 relative to disc 19 and relative to each other. This relationship can be conveniently, accurately and quickly changed by the manipulation of knobs 25 and 26 as hereinbefore described. The flexibility of this control can best be understood from Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9.

In Fig. 6, with the positions of brushes 45a and 46a relative to disc 19a and plate 21a, it will be noted that the circuit is initially closed. With the assumption that gun 72a is at A in said figure, the gun will discharge and will continue to discharge until plate 21a breaks contact with brush 45a as at position B of the disc. The gun 72a will then be in the position B and will be turned off. It will remain off until plate 21a again makes contact with brush 45a, brush 46a remaining in contact with plate 21a as at position C of the disc. The position of the gun at this phase is shown at C, at which time the gun will again be fired. It will remain in firing position until brush 46a breaks contact with plate 21a when it will be shut off as at position D of the disc.

This position of the gun is shown at D. The gun will remain olf until brush 46a again contacts plate 21a, at which time the gun will again fire since both brushes will again contact plate 21a. This position is shown at A, and the cycle is repeated.

yIn Fig. 7 the relative positions of the brushes 45a and 46a to each other have been changed, and in the position of the disc shown at A the gun is off and is at jposition A at which time plate 21a contacts brush 46a .and the gun is then fired. When plate 21a breaks con- -tact with brush 45a (position B), the gun is turned off .and remains off until plate 21a again contacts brush 45a (position C) at which time the gun is fired. The gun continues to re from position C to position D where plate 21a breaks contact with brush 46a. The gun is thereafter turned off until position A is reached and the cycle is thereafter repeated.

In Fig. 8 the relative positions of brushes 45a and 46a have again been changed. In the position shown the gun is turned on and is at position A. At position A, plate 21a contacts brush 46a and the gun lires until it reaches position B at which time plate 21a breaks contact with brush 45a at which time it is turned oif and remains off until it reaches position C. At this position plate 21a contacts brush 45a and the gun again fires and remains firing until position D is reached at which time plate 21a breaks contact with brush 46a. The gun remains turned olf until it reaches position A at which time the plate contacts brush 46a and the gun again fires. The cycle is therefore repeated.

In Fig. 9, the relative positions of the brushes is further changed and in the position shown the gun has just commenced to re as at position A. The gun continues to fire from position A to position B when the Shortly thereto tire until position D is reached at which time plate Shortly thereafter plate 21a again contacts brush 46a when position A is again res. The cycle is thereafter repeated.

The relative positions of the parts shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate the normal or zero position of sprocket wheel 17 relative to disc 19', that is where in 'assumption that the lateral edges of the article 54 are in vertical alignment with the zero position. Hence, the gun in moving toward the edge Aof the article must be given a lead insofar as discharging is concerned and must also be given a lead insofar as shutting off is concerned when the gun leaves the edge of the article and again, the same procedure must be adopted upon the return path of the gun.

To adjust for a predetermined lead in each case, the sprocket wheel 17 is adjusted angularly relative to the position of disc 19. Hence, the brushes are adjusted relative to the disc and relative to each other toaccommodate the device to articles of different width and to accommodate the `device to the lateral position of the article upon the conveyor belt, and the lead is adjusted by the angular relationship of the sprocket wheel and the disc.

Referring particularly to Figs. ll to 15 inclusive, a modification of the invention is illustrated. The modified device comprises a casing having opposite end walls 81 and 82. A bearing 83 is carried by each of the end walls and a shaft 84 is journaled in said bearings. Exteriorly of the casing, adjacent end wall 81, the shaft is restricted in diameter and carries threads 85. A sprocket wheel 86 is carried by the extending portion of the shaft and is held n a desired position upon said shaft by clamping plate 87 which, in turn, is held in position by lock nuts 88, the arrangement being such that sprocket wheel 86 may be adjusted angularly relative to shaft 84.

A drum 89 is mounted upon shaft 84 within casing 80, being secured to said shaft by pin 90. 'Ille drum 89 may be constructed of metal and a portion 91 of its surface is metal Whereas the remaining portion 92 of the surface may comprise an electrical insulating material. As will be clear, hereinafter, the drum may, if desired, be constructed of insulating material and may carry a surface plate of metal conforming tosurface 91, and the remaining surface may be constructed of the material constituting the body of the drum. Of course, drum 89 may be constructed in other well known ways, so long as its surface constitutes an area 91 of metal and a remaining surface area of insulating material corresponding to surface 92.

A pair of guide rods 93 and 94 are rigidly secured to the end walls 81 and 82 of the casing and extend parallel to the axis of drum 89, said rods being disposed on substantially opposite diametrical sides of the drum. A screw 9S is journaled at its end portions in the opposite walls 81 and 82 and is disposed parallel and adjacent guide rod 93 and adjacent the surface of drum 89. A similar screw 96 is similarly disposed adjacent guide rod 94. Each screw and 96 carries a manipulating knob 97 at its end whereby each screw may be rotated.

A brush holder 98 is slidably carried by rod 93 and is threadedly engaged with screw 95. A similar brush holder 99 is slidably carried on rod 94 and is threadedly v engaged with screw 96. A brush 100 is carried by brush circuit including means for actuating and deactuatinfy ser eneassi knobs 97, the brushes 10G and 101 may be independently moved axially along the surface of drum 89.

trically conductive portion of the circuit and 972v indicates the remaining non-conductive portion of the surface. In Figs. 14 and l5, sequential positions ofthe drum, in development relative to two dilerent positions of the brushes 100 and'11 are shown, the sequential positions of the drum in Fig. lV corresponding to the sequential positions ofthe spray gun in Fig. 7. In the case of drum 89, the relationship to the travel of the gun-carrying chain, for instance, chain 61a, is that one revolution of the drum corrresponds to travel of the chain of one complete chain length.

Accordingly, position A of the drum 89 in Fig. 14 corresponds to position A of the gun 72a in Fig. 6, the gun just commencing to discharge. Discharge takes place until position B of the drum is reached, that is,

kwhen the gun reaches position B in Fig. 6. Similarly,

drum positions C and D in Fig. 14 correspond to gun positions C and D in Fig. 6, the gun discharging at position C and being turned off in position D.

In Fig. 15, brush itil has been moved to a different position, the relative positions of the brushes relative to the drum being similar to the positions of the brushes 45a and 46a relative to each other and relative to the disc 19 in Fig. 7. Thus, drum positions A, B, C and Din Fig. 15 correspond to the gun positions A, B, C and D in Fig. 7, the gun being turned on and turned off as hereinbetore described in conjunction with Fig. 7.

To secure the desirable lead in turning the gun on and oif, as has been hereinbefore described in conjunction with the disc form of the invention, the same expedient is used in conjunction with the drum form of the invention` That is, sprocket wheel 86 maybe rotated about shaft S4 until the desirable lead is secured and locked in said desired position by lock nuts 88.

Many modifications of the invention which do not depart from the spirit of the invention will occur to anyone skilled in the art. For instance, the'brushes 45 and 46 and brushes 166 and 101 may, if desired, be replaced by conventional micro-switches, which may be caused to snap on and snap oil by upraised surface areas of the disc or drum and depressed surface areas of the disc or drum, respectively. These and other modifications are broadly contemplated in the present invention, and, hence, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the exact details shown and described except as necessitated by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A timing control device for electrically energizing and deenergizing an electrically actuated movable agent in conformity with the degree oi movement of said agent which comprises, a frame, a rotatable member having a surface, said member being journaled for rotation in said frame, means for rotating said rotatable member in timed relationship with the movement of said agent, an electric con agent, a pair of circuit opening and closing elements included in said circuit and in contact with the surface of said member for energizing and deenergizing said actuating means, a predetermined area of the surface oi said `member comprising means for closing said circuit open- 1 ing and closing elements, the remaining area of the surface of said-member comprising means for opening said "circuit opening and closing elements and means carried y by said trame for independently moving said pair oi circuit opening and closing elements relative to the surface vof said member and relative to each other.

2. A timing control device for electrically energizing and deenergizing an electrically actuated movable agent inconformity with the degree of movement of said agent which comprises, a frame, a rotatable member having a surface, said member being journaled for rotation .in said framemeans forrotating said rotatable member in timed relationship with the movement of said agent; a predetermined area of the surface of vsaid member comprising an electrical nonconductive material, the remaining area of said surface comprising an electrical conductive material, all portionsl of said latter `area being electrically connected together, a. pair of 'spaced electrical brushes movable in parallel relationship in contact with the vsurface of said member, means carried by saidframe supporting said brushes for independent movement relative to said surface and relative to each other, and an electrical circuit including said brushes and said agent to energize and'deenergize said agent.

3. A timing control device for electrically energizing and deenergiziug an electrically actuated movable agent in conformity with the degree of movement of said agent which comprises, a frame, a rotatable member having a surface, said member being journaled for rotation in said frame, means for rotating said rotatable member in timed relationship with the movement of said agent, a predetermined area of the surface of said member comprising an electrical non-conductive material, the remaining area of said surface comprising an electrical conductive material, all portions of said latter area being electrically connected together, a pair of spaced electrical brushes movable in parallel relationship in contact with the surface of said member, both of said brushes being in the path of movement of both of said area portions during rotation of said member, means carried by said frame supporting said brushes for'independent movement relative to said surface and relative to each other, andan electrical circuit rincluding said brushes and said agent toenergize and deenergize said agent.

4. A timing control device for electrically 'energizing and deenergizing an electrically actuated movable agent in conformity with the degree of movement of said agent which comprises, a frame, a rotatable disc journaled in saidframe, means for rotating said disc in timed relationship with the movement of said agent, the disc having opposite faces, a-predeterrnined area of a predetermined face of said disc comprising an electrical non-conductive material, the remaining area of said predeterminedV face comprising an electrical conductive material, said conductive material comprising a continuous conductive circuit, a pair of spaced electrical brushes movable along a diameter of said disc, means carried by said frame supporting said brushes and for independently movingfsaid brushes along said diametral line, means carried by said brush-supporting means resiliently urging said brushes into contact with said predetermined face of said disc, and an electrical circuit including said brushes for connection to said agent.

5. A timing control device for electrically energizing and deenergizing an electrically actuated movable agent in conformity with the degree of movement of said agent which comprises, a frame, a rotatable disc constructed of eiectricaily non-conductive material journaied in said frame, means for rotating said disc in timed relationship with the movement of sai-d agent, the disc having opposite faces7 a predetermined area of a predetermined face of said disc comprising said electrical non-conductive material, an electrically conductive plate carried by said disc and comprising the remaining area of said predetermined face of the disc, a pair of spaced electrical brushes movable along a single diametral line of said disc, means carried by said frame supporting said brushes andfor independently moving said brushes along said diametral line,-means carried by said brush-supporting means resiliently urging said brushes into contact with `said predetermined face of said disc, and an electrical circuit including said brushes for connection to said agent.

6. A-timing control device forV electrically energizing and deenergizing an electrically actuated movable agent in conformitywith the degree of movement of said agent said frame, means for rotating said disc in timed relationship with the movement of said agent, the disc having opposite faces, a predetermined area of a predetermined face of said disc comprising an electrical non-conductive material, said predetermined area comprising less than half the area of said predetermined face, the remaining area of said predetermined face comprising an electrical conductive material, a pair of spaced electrical brushes movable along a diameter of said disc, means carried by said frame supporting said brushes and for independently moving said brushes along said diametral line, means carried by said brush-supporting means resiliently urging said brushes into contact with said predetermined face of said disc, and an electrical circuit including said brushes for connection tolsaid agent.

7. A timing control device for electrically energizing and deenergizing an electrically actuated movable agent in conformity with the degree of movement of said agent which comprises, a frame, a rotatable disc journaled in said frame, means for rotating said disc in timed relationship with the movement of said agent, the disc having opposite faces, a predetermined area of a predetermined face of said disc comprising an electrical non-conductive material, the remaining area of said predetermined face comprising an electrical conductive material, a pair of spaced electrical brushes movable along a diameter of said disc, means carried by said frame supporting said brushes and for independently moving said brushes along said diametral line, means carried by said brush-supporting means resiliently urging said brushes into contact with said predetermined face of said disc, and an electrical circuit for connection with said agent, said brushes comprising the terminals of said electrical circuit which are connected together when both brushes contact the electrically conductive material carried on said predetermined face of the disc.

8. A timing control device for electrically energizing and deenergizing and electrically actuated movable agent in conformity with the degree of movement of said agent which comprises, a frame, a rotatable member journaled in said frame, said member having an outer surface, means for rotating said member in timed relationship with the movement of said agent, a predetermined area of said outer surface of said member comprising an electrical non-conductive material, the remaining area of said outer surface comprising an electrical conductive material, a pair of spaced electrical brushes movable transversely of said member, means carried by said frame supporting said brushes and for independently moving said brushes transversely of said member, means carried by said brush-supporting means resiliently urging said brushes into contact with the outer surface of said member, and an electrical circuit including said brushes for connection to said agent.

9. A timing control device for an automatic paint spraying mechanism wherein a continuously operating conveying mechanism carries an electrically actuated spray gun adjacent an article to be sprayed to spray said article, said timing control device comprising, a frame, a rotatable disc journaled in said frame, means for rotating said disc in timed relationship with the movement of the spray gun, the disc having opposite faces, a predetermined area of a predetermined face of said disc comprising an electrically non-conductive material, the remaining area of said predetermined face comprising an electrically conductive material, a pair of spaced electrical brushes movable along a diametral line of said disc, means carried by said frame supporting said brushes and for independently moving said brushes along said diametral line, means carried by said brushsupporting means resiliently urging said brushes into contact with said predetermined face of said disc, and an electrical circuit including said brushes for connection to said electrically actuated spray gun.

10. A timing control device for an automatic paint spraying mechanism wherein a continuously operating conveying mechanism carries an electrically actuated spray gun adjacent an article to be sprayed to spray said article, said timing control device comprising, a frame, a rotatable member journaled in said frame, said member having an outer surface, means for rotating said member in timed relationship with the movement of said spray gun, a predetermined area of said outer surface of said member comprising an electrically nonconductive material, the remaining area of said outer surface comprising an electrically conductive material, a pair of electrical brushes movable transversely of said member, means carried by said frame supporting said brushes and for independently moving said brushes transversely of said member, means carried by said brushsupporting means resiliently urging said brushes into contact with the outer surface of said member, kand an electrical circuit including said brushes for connection to said electrically actuated spray gun.

11. A device as claimed in claim l() wherein said means for supporting and independently moving said brushes comprises a pair of transmission screws journaled in said frame, said brushes comprising brushsupporting blocks threadedly engaging said respective transmission screws.

12. A timing control device for an automatic paint spraying device wherein a continuously operating conveying mechanism carries an electrically actuated spray gun in timed relationship with an article to be sprayed which is carried by a movable article conveyor, said timing control mechanism comprising, a frame, a rotatable member journaled in said frame, said member having an outer surface, means for rotating said member in timed relationship with the movement of said spray gun, a predetermined area of said outer surface of said member comprising an electrically non-conductive material, the remaining area of said outer surface comprising an electrically conductive material, a pair of electrical brushes movable transversely of said member, means carried by said frame supporting said brushes and for independently moving said brushes transversely of said member, means carried by said brush-supporting means resiliently urging said brushes into contact with the outer surface of said member, and an electrical circuit including said brushes for connection to said electrically actuated spray gun.

13. A timing control device for electrically energizing and deenergizing an electrically actuated movable agent in conformity with the degree of movement of said agent which comprises, a frame, a rotatable drum journaled in said frame, means for rotating said drum in timed relationship with the movement of said agent, the drum having an outer surface, a predetermined area of said surface comprising an electrical non-conductive material, the remaining area of said surface comprising an electrical conductive material all portions of which are electrically connected together, a pair of diametrically spaced electrical brushes in contact with said drum surface, means carried by said frame for independently moving said brushes axially along the surface of said drum, and an electrical circuit including said brushes for connection in series with said agent.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,121,025 Kreiger Dec. 15, 1914 1,477,862 Barr Sept. 5, 1922 2,442,183 Stearns May 25, 1948 2,520,709 Bitler Aug. 29, 1950 2,673,947 Winther Mar. 30. 1954 2,832,854 Doyle et al. Apr. 29, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 4.2.11 Great Britain Feb. 22. 1906 

